Emergency Rehabilitation Project for Nepal's Sindhuli Road Awarded

Shimizu Corporation (President: Tatsuya Shimmura) has been awarded an emergency rehabilitation project for the flood-damaged Sindhuli Road by the Department of Roads, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (hereinafter, Nepal). The contract amount is approximately 2.1 billion JPY. This project, planned as a Japan's Grant Aid (ODA) initiative, aims for the swift restoration of the Sindhuli Road, a critical highway that suffered extensive damage due to heavy rainfall in September 2024.

The Sindhuli Road, a 160 km long trunk road developed with Japan's Grant Aid, serves as a vital transportation and logistics artery connecting the Eastern Terai region, which borders southern India, with the capital city of Kathmandu. It has played an indispensable role in Nepal's socio-economic development. However, in September 2024, the country experienced its heaviest rainfall on record, leading to severe damage including road and slope collapses. Consequently, the early restoration of the road to ensure the safety of users and maintain socio-economic activities has become an urgent priority.

This emergency rehabilitation project focuses on an approximately 3 km section in western Nepalthok, located about a three-hour drive from Kathmandu. The restoration work will involve widening the existing 1.5-lane road to a 2-lane road (with a total width of 10 meters, including shoulders) while maintaining the same alignment as the current road. The scope of work specifically includes earthwork, retaining wall construction, and pavement work, which also encompasses retaining walls for riverbanks and the removal of landslide debris.

The construction period is scheduled for just under two years, aiming for completion by the end of December 2027. Given the urgent nature of the project, detailed design will be carried out by consultants, incorporating proposals from Shimizu Corporation, the contractor, regarding potential construction period reductions. Actual construction is slated to commence thereafter. This rehabilitation work is expected to significantly enhance traffic safety on the Sindhuli Road, revitalize regional logistics and human mobility, and thereby contribute to the further socio-economic development of Nepal.

Since establishing its presence in Nepal in 1978, Shimizu Corporation has undertaken approximately 30 projects, including the Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital. The company possesses extensive experience and expertise, currently engaged in water supply improvement project in Biratnagar, Nepal's third-largest city. For this project, Shimizu will leverage its accumulated knowledge and local human resources to introduce sustainable methods and technologies that address the specific needs of the local community, thereby contributing to Nepal's long-term sustainable development.